24 ELOPIFORM FISHES 



mentioned above are merely extensions of the anterior margin of the main body. 

 Medially there is a pointed dorsal limb which overlies the epiotic process. Laterally, 

 there is a very small limb which reaches forwards but fails to reach the pterotic. 

 The third process originates from the undersurface of the main body and passes 

 antero-ventrally to become firmly anchored to the intercalar. 



The supracleithrum is long, narrow and inclined postero-ventrally. The anterior 

 margin is slightly thickened. The lateral line runs obliquely through the upper half. 

 Ventrally the supracleithrum overlaps the cleithrum. The latter element is, as 

 usual, the largest single component of the shoulder girdle. From a narrow dorsal 

 portion the bone expands as it curves antero-ventrally and medially to contact its 

 fellow in the ventral mid-line. The anterior margin of the cleithrum is turned 

 inwards to form both the posterior wall of the gill chamber and a site of origin for 

 the sterno-hyoideus musculature. There are three narrow postcleithra attached to 

 the medial surface of the cleithrum. 



The endochondral coracoid is attached to the ventral limb of the cleithrum. In 

 its middle region it fails to contact the cleithrum and there is instead a large space, 

 the interosseous foramen of Starks (1930). Posteriorly the coracoid contacts the 

 scapula laterally and the mesocoracoid dorsally. 



The scapula spreads over the inner face of the cleithrum. The scapula completely 

 encloses the scapular foramen. Posteriorly the margin of the scapula bears a deep 

 notch, the point of insertion of the outermost fin-ray. The mesocoracoid is repre- 

 sented by a thin bar of bone which passes dorsally from its union with the scapula 

 and coracoid. The dorsal part of the mesocoracoid is expanded and like the scapula 

 spreads over the inner face of the cleithrum. 



Support of the dermal fin-rays is shared by the endochondral girdle and the radial 

 elements. The outer ray is attached directly to the scapula. There are four ossified 

 proximal radials which articulate with the coracoid. The longest of the proximal 

 radials is the innermost, the shortest the outermost. A further row of cartilaginous 

 distal radials may be recognized but neither their number (usually six to eight) nor 

 their distribution is constant from individual to individual or even from one side of a 

 specimen to the other. The distal radials appear to play little part in the support 

 of the fin. 



There are 15-16 branched rays plus the outer unbranched ray. The longest is 

 the second in the series, the outermost branched ray. At the base of the first ray 

 there is a small triangular pectoral splint bone which is positioned equally over 

 both halves of the ray. 



Pelvic girdle and fin. The pelvic fin originates beneath the anterior half of the 

 dorsal fin. The fin-rays are supported by both radials and a pelvic bone. The 

 latter is triangular, the apex directed anteriorly. Posteriorly the margin of the pelvic 

 bone is covered by cartilage. Two or three cartilaginous radials articulate with the 

 posterior margin. An ossified inner radial articulates with the postero-medial aspect 

 of the pelvic bone. This inner radial is represented by a curved splint, the proximal 

 end of which lies between the bases of the inner four rays. 



There are 15-16 pelvic fin-rays of which the outermost is unbranched. The third 

 ray is the longest of the series. At the base of the upper half of the outermost ray 



